Reinstate Farshid Niroumand as Athletic Director

Coach Farshid Niroumand is a world-class coach and educator who produced world-class, history-making professional athletes (including Clint Dempsey, the second American (after Brian McBride) to score in more than one World Cup). But what truly made him a great coach was that he treated all students on the same level as he did future World Cup stars- he was a hard ass on everyone!

This even-handed integrity and ability to inspire generation after generation of student athletes to excellence led Nacogodoches High School to offer Niroumand the position of Athletic Director, and It was in this position that he crafted a very strict no drug/alcohol policy- one that was accepted and enforced without question.

That was, until students who were close to the School Board President broke the policy. Local ABC news affiliate KTRE reported that NISD Board president Matt Rocco "confirms three senior athletes, including the son of a booster officer, were suspended for showing up drunk at a homecoming dance. He said prior to the event one of the three were guests at his home."

Coincidently, Niroumand's zero-tolerance drug/alcohol policy was changed to be more lenient. Niroumand, as quoted in the local newspaper, denied this specific incident of favoritism caused his decision to resign, and will only state publicly "I've always said that I'm leaving because the superintendent (Fred Hayes) told me there's philosophical differences."

With few true role models left, the young men and women of Nacogdoches need Coach Farshid. Please join this petition and demand that the administration consider the wishes of the community and alumni all over the world and reinstate Farshid as athletic director. If there are "philosophical differences," we choose Farshid over Hayes.